It's not the church most North American culture thinks of
- the building, a structure or a club. No, it's much more than that! It's how
it's supposed to be seen as: Christ's body of followers. Those whose hearts
beat like His and desire to see the world come to know Him and become
transformed for His Kingdom's sake. And those who have newly welcomed His grace
in their lives and being made new and restored in Him. That's His body!
The church is alive because of Christ who breathes in us. It's a living organism, it grows and spreads. You could almost say that it is like an infectious disease. Once Christ takes root, you will be destroyed and will never be the same.
In viewing the church as the Body, it is no longer complex. It has become simplified in that there are only two commands that matter: love God and love others. Both are completely possible and are to be obeyed. When both are obeyed, amazing things happen. Those without Christ, see His light in the church and are drawn to it. The church is able to share the Good News of Jesus that is for EVERYONE: the afflicted, brokenhearted, the captives, the prisoners, the poor, the weary, and everyone in between. The church can transform whole families and multiply in communities. The church can strengthen and unite communities and even nations for His sake.
Because of Christ, the church is powerful. God uses it to change lives, families, communities, nations, the whole world! More than that, the church is empowered. It's because of Jesus' Commission and Commandment and the power of His Holy Spirit, that we, the Body of Christ, can touch the hearts of the world!
How beautiful is the Body of Christ and what a blessing to be a part of it!
The church is alive because of Christ who breathes in us. It's a living organism, it grows and spreads. You could almost say that it is like an infectious disease. Once Christ takes root, you will be destroyed and will never be the same.
In viewing the church as the Body, it is no longer complex. It has become simplified in that there are only two commands that matter: love God and love others. Both are completely possible and are to be obeyed. When both are obeyed, amazing things happen. Those without Christ, see His light in the church and are drawn to it. The church is able to share the Good News of Jesus that is for EVERYONE: the afflicted, brokenhearted, the captives, the prisoners, the poor, the weary, and everyone in between. The church can transform whole families and multiply in communities. The church can strengthen and unite communities and even nations for His sake.
Because of Christ, the church is powerful. God uses it to change lives, families, communities, nations, the whole world! More than that, the church is empowered. It's because of Jesus' Commission and Commandment and the power of His Holy Spirit, that we, the Body of Christ, can touch the hearts of the world!
How beautiful is the Body of Christ and what a blessing to be a part of it!
Note: This was originally written as a reflective writing for a "Perspectives" course I was taking last fall. Someday, I wouldn't mind getting it published! Perspectives
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